Press



April 18, 1944. N. GEERTSEN PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 1INVIVIOR. M M

BY Q

244M441 v i-(am ATTO ENEXS April 18, 1944.

N. GEERTSEN PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 BY M by 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

girroPNEkS April 18, 1944. N. GEERTSEN 3 PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 8Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 75% m BY @AZW AUQ r-xs...

ril 18, 1944. N. GEERTSEN I PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 B Sheets-Sheet 566% A TTOENEYS April 18, 1944. V

GEERTSEN 2,346,673

PRESS Filed Feb. 10, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 18, 1944 PRESS Nelson Geertsen, Chicago, Ill., assignor toAmeri-' can Can Company. New York, N. Y., a corporation of New JerseyApplication February 10, 1942, Serial No. 430,298

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to sheet metal presses and the like andhas particular reference 'to cutting metallic sheets into parts andfeeding the parts in opposite directions while stacking them for quickinspection and subsequent handling.

In the can making industry fiat blanks from which can bodies are madeusually are cut from j large sheets. Some can bodies, such as those usedfor tearing strip cans, require an additional die cutting operationon'one edge of each blank to form the tearing strip tongue and itsadjacent notch. Such can bodies require manual handling for inspectionand stacking after being cut from the sheet and again after the diecutting operation. This requires considerable time and expense forhandling the blanks.

The instant invention contemplates savin this time and expense inhandling by providing a machine in which double blank strips are dividedby a die mechanism that forms the body tongue and notch and in which theblanks after cutting are fed in opposite directions to stackers whichreceive them in position for inspection and for subsequent handling.

An object therefore of the invention is the provision of a sheet metalpress wherein strips of stock are fed from a magazine into a diemechanism which cuts the strip across and along an irregular line ofseverance that divides the strip into two can body blanks each having ashaped edge that may include a projecting tongue and an adjacent notch,the blanks after cutting being discharged laterally and in oppositedirections to. stackers which receive the blanks in an arrangejme'nt.which permits of quick. inspection and subsequent handling.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of gauging deviceswherein the strips to be out are gauged and located in the die mechanismfrom the feeding edge of the strip so that the strip will be properlylocated in the die mechanism for cutting.

Another object-is the provision of such a ma- 2 v chine wherein thevarious moving parts for feeding the strips may be adjusted laterally ofthe machine so that strips of different sizes may be accommodated in themachine.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better under- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machineembodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is-a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the upperportion of the machine broken off and shown in section and with otherparts of the machine-broken away, the view also showing a plurality ofblanks in stacked arrangement in the machine;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a portion of the machine, with parts brokenaway;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line5-5 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line6-45 in Fig. 5, with parts broken away, the view also showing in sectiona plurality of blanks in the machine;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the linel'! in Fig. 2, with parts broken away, the view also showing a blank insection;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of a detailed portion of the machine asviewed from the back of the machine, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along theline 9-9 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Illl0 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line ll-Ilin Fig. 5, with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged Sectional detail taken substantially along theline I2l2 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l3l3 inFig. 6, with parts broken away;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of a strip of sheet metal from which can bodyblanks are produced in the machine;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line |5|5 inFig. 6, with parts broken away; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line |6-l6in Fig. 2.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate amachine in which comparatively long pre-cut metallic strips A (Fig. 14)of tin plate or the like material, are cut along a transverse irregularline B to produce two individual can body blanks C (Fig. 2) having alongthe machine, with screws- 45.

Gil

can body blanks. Immediately after cutting, the

blanks are fed transversely of the machine in opposite directions andare received on the stackers N in an overlapping stacked condition,spaced so that they may be readily inspected while on the stackers. Theblanks as needed are easily scooped up manually and removed to anysuitable place of deposit for subsequent operations.

The operating parts of the punch press L are carried on a conventionalpunch press frame, 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) while the working parts of thefeed mechanism M and of the stackers N are carried on a main frame 22(see also Figs. 5 and 6) One end of the main pres frame 2| while theother end is supported on legs 23 which, with the press frame, arsecured to a base plate 24.

The strips A to be formed into the can body blanks C are retained in amagazine 21 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) in which the blanks are maintained instack form by a pair of vertical, spaced and parallel corner angle irons28 and a plurality of straight vertical magazine bars 29. The angleirons are secured to a pair of side guide rails 3| which extendlongitudinally of the machine. The magazine bars 29 are bolted to across beam 32 which is secured at its ends to bracket 33 fastened to themain frame 22.

The stack of strips A within the magazin is supported on a plurality ofsupport bars 35 formed on right angle arms v36 which are adjustabletransversely of the machine. The bars are secured in position by clamps31 (Fig. 6) and bolts 38, the bolts being threaded into the outer endsof a pair of spaced and parallel longitudinal slide rails 39. The twoslide rails are located one on each side of a centrally disposedstationary support rail 4| which extends longitudinall of the machineand is secured to the main frame 22.

In order to have the magazine 21 adjustable for strips of differentlengths, the guide rails 3| and the slide rails 39 are mounted adjacent,their ends on T shaped blocks 43. The blocks are located in T slots 44formed in the main frame 22. The blocks in turn are threaded onto longThere are four screws in all, two screws having left hand threads forthe guide ,rail 3| and the slide rail 39 on one side ofthe stationaryrail 4|, and two screws having right hand threads for the guide rail andthe slide rail on the opposite side of the stationary rail 4|.

The slide rail blocks 43 are mounted on a reduced diameter section 46 ofeach of the screws 65,. this section having a thread pitch of onehalfthe thread pitch of the larger diameter sections of the screws. Theinner ends of each set of right and left hand screws are formed with asquare shank 41 which fits within a sleeve 58 having a square holetherein. In this manner each set of two screws is tied together So thatthey can rotate as one.

The outer ends of the screws are carried in bearing blocks 49 which fitwithin the T slot 44 and which are secured to the main frame.

frame is bolted to the Beyond the bearing blocks each screw carries asprocket 5| and the two sprockets on each side of the machine areconnected by endless chains 52. One of the screws is provided with asquare shank 53 for the reception of a wrench or handle.

Hence, when a wrench or handle is applied to the square shank 53 all thescrews may be rotated simultaneously. Rotation of the screws in eitherdirection moves the guide rail 3| and the slide rail 39 on one side ofthe stationary rail 4|, toward or away from the guide rail and the sliderail on the opposite side of the stationary rail. In this manner therails may be drawn nearer each other or may be spread apart to changethe length of the magazine 21 to accommodate a particular size of thestrip A. In accordance with the pitch of the screw, the guide rails 3|move twice as fast as the slide rails 39 and keeps the proper relationbetween the rails as they are shifted to accommodate the strips.

The strips A are fed individually from the bottom of the magazine 21 byfirst drawing them down toward a feed level or feed line. This drawingdown of the strips is efiected by a pair of vacuum cups 56 (Figs. 1, 2and 6). The vacuum cups are mounted on vertical slides 51 carried inlong depending bearings 58 bolted to the bot toms of the slide rails 39.There is one cup and one slide for each slide rail and they move withthe rail when the latter is shifted to bring it into an adjustedposition.

The upper end of each slide 51 extends up through an opening 58 in itsrail 39. The lower end of each slide is connected to a flexible pipe 6|which leads to a suitable source of vacuum. This pipe is incommunication with. a passageway t2 which extends through the slides andwhich communicates with the cups 515.

The vacuum cups 56 are moved up into engagement with the lowermost stripA in the magazine 21, by a pair of spur gears 65 which mesh with rackteeth 66 formed on the cup slides 51. The gears are mounted on a crossshaft 61 (see also Fig. 3) which extends across the front of the machineand which is carried in bearings 68 formed on the machine leg sections23. This shaft is rocked periodically by a lever H which is mounted onthe shaft.

The outer end of the lever II is connected by a link 12 to a yoke 13(see also Figs. 5 and 11) which straddles a spacer sleeve 14 on a shaft15 which constitutes the main drive shaft of the machine. The yokecarries a cam roller 16 which operates in a cam groove 11 formed in aface cam 18 mounted on the drive shaft adjacent the spacer sleeve. Thedrive shaft is journaled in a plurality of spaced bearings 8| which areformed in the main frame 22. The ends of the shaft extend beyond theframe and one end carries a driving sprocket 82 which is driven by anendless chain 83. The chain may be driven in any suitable manner.

Thus as the main shaft '15 rotates, it revolves the cam 18 and thisreciprocatesthe link 12 in time with the other moving parts of themachine. Reciprocation of the link rocks the lever H and the cross shaft61 on which it is mounted and this rotates the spur gears 65.. The gearsin turn move the cup slides 51 through an up stroke and then through adown or return stroke.

On the up stroke the vacuum cups 56 connected to the slides, engageagainst the lowermost strip A in the magazine 21 as hereinbeforementioned and thus take hold of the strip by means of the vacuum beingdrawn on the cups.

this 7 On the down stroke of the slides, the cups draw the strip down tothe feed line in'two places located between the strip support bars 35.The vacuum remains on the cups temporarily to hold the pulled down stripin this position.

While the strip is thus retained in its pulled down condition it isremoved from the magazine 2'! and advanced along the guide rails 3I andslide rails 39, in a step-by-step movement, for cutting. This removal ofthe strip and its advancement through the machine is brought about by aplurality of reciprocating feed bars 85 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) having theusual feed dogs 86 spaced at intervals along their lengths. The drawingsshow four of these feed bars and they are located two in each sliderails 39 and straddling the vacuum cup slides in the rails, the barssliding in longitudinal grooves 81 formed in the rails.

The two feed bars 85 in each slide rail 39 are connected together by aspacing block 88 which extends down through an opening 89 formed in thebottom of the rails. The spacing block for each set of feed bars isformed with a depending lug 9| and these two lugs are connected byadjustable links 92 to the upper ends of a pair of spaced actuating arms93 (see also Fig. 4). The arms are mounted loosely on a I cross shaft 95mounted in bearings 96 formed on the machine legs 23 (see also Fig. 1).

The actuating arms 93 are tied together by an adjusting screw 98 whichis carried in a rocker arm 99 keyed to the cross shaft 95. The actuatingarms are held in place on the screw by locknuts IIII. By adjusting thesenuts on the screw, the arms may be moved along the cross shaft to keepthem in line with the slide rails 39 when the latter are adjusted fordifferent sizes of strips. The actuating arms 93 are rocked toreciprocate the feed bars 85 through a forward or feed ing stroke andthence through a return stroke, by a crank link I03 (Fig. 6). The outerend of the link is formed with a fork HM which engages around the rockerarm 99 and the adjusting screw 98. The inner end of the crank link iscarried on a crank I95 formed on the main drive shaft I5 (see also Fig.5). It is this crank that rocks the actuating arms'93 and thusreciprocates the feed bars 85.

On a forward stroke of the feed bars 85 the feed dogs 86 on the outerends of the bars engage behind the pulled down portions of the lowermoststrip A in the magazine 27 and push the strip forward. Simultaneouslywith this forward movement of the strip, the vacuum is broken and thevacuum cups 56 thereby release their hold on the strip to let it moveforward. It is this movement of the feed bars that removes the stripfrom the magazine.

After removal of a strip A from the magazine it is advanced by the feedbars 85 through the machine in an intermittent or step-by-step movementas hereinbefore mentioned, this being toward the punch press section L.During this advancement of the strip it is held against upwarddisplacement by a plurality of hold-down bars III (Figs 2 and 6). Thesehold-down bars engage against the top surfaces of the strips as theymove along the slide rails 39 and the stationary rail 4|. Bars III aremounted adjustably on a cross shaft I I2 so that they may be shiftedwith the slide rails. The ends of the cross shaft are carried inbearings II3 formed in the brackets 33. The outer edges of the moviii)ing strips are held down by overhanding ledges H4 which extend inwardlyfrom the guide rails 3|.

When an advanced strip A arrives at the punch press section L of themachine, it first is located in a predetermined position prior to beingout. The locating of the strip is brought about by a pair of gaugeblocks I I6 (Figs. 2, 7 and 12) and a pair of gauge fingers II'I. Eachgauge finger II! is located adjacent the inner endof the associated feedbar being disposed in a groove II8 formed in a bracket H9 bolted to theinside of the guide rail 3|. Each finger is mounted on a pivot pin I 2|secured in the bracket and is held under pressure of a fiat spring I22which is secured to the bracket. Only the head of the finger extendsabove the bracket and in the path of travel of the strips advancingalong the feed line.

The gauge blocks II6 are located opposite the gauge fingers III. Theseblocks are rectangular in shape and are located in wide grooves I25formed in brackets I26 secured to the inner ends of the guide rails 3|.Each block is movable within'its groove I 25 under the resistance of acompression spring I21 disposed in a recess I 28 in the bracket. Thespring is interposed between the bracket and a lug I29 which extendsdown from the bottom of each gauge block and projects into the recessI28. The gauge blocks are held against upward displacement by cap screwsI3I which extend down through slots I32 formed in the blocks. The screwsare threaded into the brackets I26.

When the feed bars 85 move through a forward stroke, the last orinnermost set of feed dogs 86 carried thereon advances the strip A overthe top of the gauge fingers II! and pushes the leading edge of thestrip against the gauge blocks H6. The feed bars and the strip beingadvanced thereby, push the blocks I I6 back against the resistance oftheir springs I 21 until the feed bars come to the end 'of their stroke.The stroke is sufiicient to carry the back edge of the strip past thegauge fingers H1 and accordingly the fingers snap up into positionbehind the strip as shown in Fig. '7. On the back or return stroke ofthe feed bars 85, the gauge blocks II 6 acting under their compressedsprings I21 push the strip back into gauging contact with the fingersII! as shown in Fig. '7. This locates and holds the strip in positionfor cutting.

Cuttin of the strip is effected by a die mechanism which includes alower stationary die member I M (Fig. 2) and an upper movablecooperating punch member I42 (Fig. 5). The die member MI is bolted tothe main frame 22. The punch member I42 is secured in a conventionalpunch head I43 which vertically is reciprocated in a slideway I44 formedon the press frame 2I (Figs. 1, 3 and 5). The punch head is actuated bya pitman M5 carried on a crank shaft I46 Jcurnaled in bearings I 4'! onthe press frame.

press crank shaft I96 is rotated in time with the other moving parts ofthe machine by an endless chain I 5| which operates over a sprocket I52mounted on the crank shaft and over a driving sprocket I53 mounted on anauxiliary driving shaft I54 journaled in bearing brackets I55 bolted tothe press frame 2|. An idler sprocket I56 carried on an arm I51 securedto the bearing brackets keeps the chain I5I taut. The auxiliary driveshaft I54 is rotated from the main drive shaft 15 by way of an endlesschain I59 which operates over sprockets IEI, I92 mounted on therespective shafts.

With such a drive connection the crank shaft I45 is rotated continuouslyand. thus reciprocates the punch head I43 through a down or workingstroke and thence through an up or return stroke. It is on the downstroke of the head that the punch member I42 cuts through thepre-located strip A on the die member MI and thus divides the strip intotwo can body blanks C. Pilot members 55 on the punch head I43 pass intoholes I99 in the die member I lI to keep the punch member I42 and thedie member in register.

During and immediately following this cutting operation the blanks C aresupported on a pair of short table blocks I61, located one on each sideof the die member MI. These blocks are secured to the main frame 22'.The outer ends of the blanks are supported on table extensions I618 ofthe guide rails 3L Intermediate their lengths, the blanks are supportedon table bars I69 which are secured to the inner ends of the slide rails39.

Immediately after being cut, the blanks C are discharged laterally andin opposite directions, from the die mechanism. This is to make room forthe next incoming strip A. This discharge of the blanks is brought aboutwhile the punch head I43 is traveling upwardly through a return strokeand is effected by upper and lower discharge rollers I1I, I12 (Figs. 2and 5) respectively. There are two sets of these rollers, one set beinglocated on each side of the machine adjacent the outer edges of theblanks C.

The lower discharge rollers I12 are mounted on short shafts I13 (seealso Fig. '1) which are journaled in bearings I'M formed in the gaugeblock brackets I which, it will be recalled, are bolted to the innerends of the guide rails 3|. These lower rollers are rotated continuouslyat high speed by sprockets I16 which are mounted on the short shaftsI13. The sprockets are rotated by endless chains I11. Each of thesechains operate over a pair of idler sprockets I18, I19, an idlersprocket IBI and a driving sprocket I82, the chains being arranged overthese sprockets as best shown in Fig. 5. The axis of the sprocket IBImay be shifted.

The idler sprockets I18, I19 of each drive are arranged in spacedrelation below the roller sprocket I16 and they are mounted on shortshafts I85 carried in bearings I86 formed in the two arms of a pair ofinverted T-shaped legs I31 that extend down from each gauge blockbracket I29. Each idler sprocket MI is mounted on a short shaft I88carried in the lower end of a hanging arm I29 which is mounted on apivot shaft I9I secured in the main frame 22. The two drive sprocketsI82 for the two drives are mounted on two separate spaced and parallelshafts I93 (see also Fig. 6) which are journaled in bearings I94 formedin the main frame.

The two drive sprocket shafts I93 are rotated in unison and in oppositedirections by a pair of meshing spur gears I95 which are mounted on theshafts. One of the shafts I93 carries a sprocket I96 (see also Fig. 13)which is rotated by an endless chain I91 that operates over a sprocketI98 mounted on a drive shaft I99 journaled in bearings 2M (see alsoFigs. 2 and 6) formed in the press frame 2I. The outer end of the driveshaft carries a bevel pinion 292 which meshes with and is driven by abevel gear 293' mounted on the driven shaft I54. It is this driven shaftand bevel gear and pinion that ro- With this manner of drive for thelower dis- 7 charge rollers I12 and their connection with the drivechains I11, the rollers and the brackets in which they are carried maybe shifted transversely of the machine with the guide rails 3! when thelatter are adjusted for different sizes of strips A, this shiftingtaking place without in any way disturbing the adjustment of the drivingchains or the sprockets over which they operate. This construction ofdriving mechanism provides for quick and easy change of the machineparts for different sizes of strips A.

The upper discharge rollers I1I (Figs. 5 and 6) are mounted on longstuds 2II carried in roller arms 2I2 mounted on short pivot shafts 2I3,disposed in bearings 2M (see also Fig. 2) formed in roller brackets 2I5secured to the inner ends of the guide rails 3I. The brackets 2I5 form aconnection between the upper discharge rollers I1I and the guide rails3|. When the guide rails are shifted to accommodate different sizes ofstrips A, the upper rollers move with their brackets.

The outer ends of the upper, roller studs 2II carry cam rollers 2 I8(see Fig. 6) which operate in straight cam grooves 2I9 (see also Fig. 5)in bar cams 22L There is one of these cams for each upper dischargeroller HI and they are secured to the tops of a pair of vertical slides222 disposed in slideways 223 (see also Figs. 2 and 8) formed on theback of the main frame 22. The slides are connected by links 225 tolevers 226 (see Figs. 1, 5 and 13) which are mounted on pivot shafts 221carried in bearings 228 formed in the main frame 22. The pivot shaftscarry cam arms 229 having cam rollers 23I which operate in cam grooves232 of barrel cams 233 mounted on the main drive shaft 15.

Hence the rotation of the main drive shaft 15 rotates the cams 233 androcks the cam levers 229 and their pivot shafts 221. This rocks thelevers 229 and thus reciprocates the slides 222 through a down orworking stroke and thence through an up or return stroke in time withthe other moving parts of the machine. Reciprocation of the slides 222lowers and raises the bar cams HI and this shifts the upper dischargerollers I1I toward and away from the lower continuously moving dischargerollers I12.

The normal position of they upper discharge rollers I1I is directlyabove and in spaced-relation to the lower discharge rollers I12 so, thata strip A upon being advanced into position for cutting will passbetween the rollers-and stop directly over the lowerrollers. After thestrip is cut to form the blanks C, the upper rollers are moved down toengage the blanks and; to press them against the lower rollers; It: isthis pressure, on the. rotating. lower rollers that effects thedischarge of the blanks, the lower rollers frictionally engagingthebottoms of I the blanks and quickly feeding them outwardly at rightangles to their former advancement through the machine and in oppositedirections so that one blank will be discharged toward the left asviewed in Figs. '2 and 5 and the other blank toward the right. I

The inner ends of the moving, blanks C are guided as they are dischargedfrom the die mechanism by guide plates 2 (Figs. 2 and 16) which arelocated adjacent the die member. MI and the table blocks I61. There aretwo of these guide plates 2 and they are secured to guide blocks 242having depending tongues 243 which slide in grooves 244 formed in thetop Ofthe table blocks I61. V

The guide blocks 242 are retainedagainst displacement from the tableblocks l6l'by bolts 245 which extend-through slots .246 in the guideblocks, the bolts being threaded into the table blocks. These guideblocks are backed up by spring barrels 24'! carried in bores 248 formedin the press frame 2 I. A light spring. 249 located in each springbarrel keeps the guide plates 24! extended to guide the blanks chargewhile rendering the guide plates yieldable in case it becomes necessary.

Provision is made to permitthe passage of the blanks C being discharged,past the guide rails 3 I. These guide rails extend up to the diemechanism and guide the strip A to be cut, into proper endwise relationto the die mechanism. Such guiding is done by a vertical slide plate 255(Figs. 2, 5 and 7) which is located at the inner end of each of theguide rails 3L Thisplate is flush with the inside surfaces of the railsto continue the guiding of the strips.

These slide plates 255 are disposed in slideways formed inthe guiderails 3 I and in the discharge roller bracket I26 so that the plateswill shift with the guide rails When the latter are adjusted fordifferent sizes of strips. Each plate is formed with a horizontal slot256 which is large enough to permit a blank C to pass through endwise.The plates are connected to lever arms which are mounted on the upperroller arm shaft 2 l3.

The normal position of the slides 255 is such as to bring their slots256 above the path of travel of a strip A moving into position in thedie mechanism for cutting. Hence the plates guide the ends of the stripwhile it is being located, as hereinbefore mentioned. After the strip iscut and while the upper discharge rollers are moving down to press theblank against the lower rollers, the lever arms 25! depress the guideplates to bring their slots 256 into alignment with the ends of theblanks. In this'position of the slide plates, the blanks beingdischargedpass through the slots. f f

The blanks C when discharged by the rollers HI, I12 travel withconsiderable momentum and upon passing through the slots 256 in theslide plates 255 they slide along a pair of runways 26I from which theyfall onto a pair of continuously moving stacker belts 262. There is oneof'these belts located at each side of the machine. The blanks areguided into position onto thebelts by vertical side guides 263, 264 andan end stop plate 265. Guides 263 serve to carry the otherparts 264, 265and are secured to outwardly projecting extensions 26'! (one on eachside) ofthe main frame 22. Each plate 265 stops the outward travel ofits blank and the guide members inside insure that it will fallhorizontally onto its belt in a predetermined position.

Each stacker belt 262 (Fig. 11) operates over a pair of spaced pulleys2' located one adjacent the discharge end ofthe machine and the otheradjacent the front end. The pulley adjacent the discharge end is mountedon a short idler shaft 212 carried in bearing brackets 273 bolted to theframe extensions 261. The forward pulley 2' is mounted on a stackerdrive shaft 215 which extends across the front of the maproperly duringdis- 284. This clutch member chine and carries the forward pulleysonboth sides .of the machine., This shaft is carried in bearing brackets216which aresecured to the frame extensions.261."

The stacker drivexshaft 275 is rotated. slowly in an intermittentorstepeby-step manner by a free-wheeling device 26|..(Figs. 2., 9. :and10) which includes a clutch.member .282 which is keyed to the shaft. iThe clutchmember is formed with a plurality of spacediwedge' shapedrecesses 283. in each'jof which is" located a gripping roller and its,-.rollers are dishousing 285 having .a to one side thereof to posed ina surrounding cover plate 286 secured retain the clutch in place. Thehousing is formed on. a lever arm-=28] which surrounds, the drive shaft275 and which-is connected byxa link 268 (see Figs. 3 and 6) tearocker-arm 269 mounted on therockshaft 95. a 1. n

Hence the rocking motion of the .rock shaft is transmitted by way of therocker arm 289, link 288, and lever arm 28ltothe clutch housing 285.This rocks the housingina counterclockwise direction and thencein areverse direction, as viewed in Fig.,10. When. the housing rocks inacounter-clockwise directionit wedges the gripping rollers 284 betweenit and the clutch 282 and thereby rotates the latter-through a partialrotation. When the-housing-rocks in the :reverse direction, thegripping. rollers 284:.fall back in their recess 283 and hence free, theclutch from .the housing thereby permitting the clutch to remainstationary-on thereversestroke. This is a usual free-wheeling.construction.

"In this manner the stackerdrive shaft 215 is rotated intermittentlyinone direction and in time. with the other moving parts'of the machineand the stacker belts 262 arefthus moved forward toward the front ofxthemachinein time with the discharge of the blanks. from the die mechanism.this timing issuch that for every blank discharged, the beltsmoveforward a distancepless than" the widthof the'blanks'ls'o thatblankswill overlap each: other on the belt, as best shown in'Fig; 2. Inthisstacked relation the blanks may be readily. inspected by theoperator of the machine theytravel with the belts. The. blankspreferably..iare. removed manually by scooping them up from the beltsalthough the belts maybe extended: if desired to carry the blanks .toany suitable place. of deposit, i

It is, thought that the invention'and many of its attendant advantageswill .be understood from the foregoing description, audit will: beapparent that various changes may be-made: in the form, construction andarrangement of-the parts with. out departing from the spirit and scopeof'the invention or sacrificing: an of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodimentthereof. .l 1

IcIaim: 2' l 1. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips, thecombination of a die mechanism having upper and lower cooperatingcutting instrumentalities for cutting astrip across to produce twoblanks, two continuously rotating rollers located opposite directions.

2. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips,

a strip across to produce two blanks,

the combination of a die mechanism having upper and lower cooperatingcutting instrumental-L ties for cutting a strip across to' produce twoblanks, two continuously rotating rollers located one on each side ofsaid. die mechanism and adjacent its out blank, an idler roller oppositeeach of said rotating rollers and movable toward-its associated rotating"roller for squeezingthe blank therebetween for discharging thetwoblanks endwise from said die mechanism and in opposite directions,and mean for moving said idler rollers in synchronism with the operationof said die mechanism to discharge the blanks at the proper time. V

3. In a machine for cutting sheetmetal strips, the combination of a diemechanism having upper and lower cooperating cutting instrumentalitiesfor cutting a strip across to produce two blanks, two continuouslyrotating rollers located one on each side jacent opposite ends of theblanks, means for driving said rotating rollers, devices for shiftingsaid rotating rollers laterally of said die mechanism while maintainingdriving connection with said driving means to laccommodate'blanks of bdifierent lengths, and an idler roller located cpposite each of saidrotating rollers which i movable toward its associated rotating rollersfor squeezing a blank therebtween to discharge the blanks endwise fromsaid die mechanism and in opposite directions. i

4. In a machine for cutting sheet metal'strips', the combination of adie mechanism having upper and lower cooperating cuttinginstrumentalities for cutting a strip across toproduce two blanks, twocontinuously rotating rollers located one on each side of said diemechanism and ad.- jacent said :blanks, a driving sprocket for each ofsaidrotatin'g'rollers, a plurality of idler sprockets adjacent eachrotating roller, .an idler roller disposed oppositeeaoh of said rotatingrollers, an endless chain. operating over said sprockets for drivingeach of said rotating'rollersfsomeof said sprockets being movable withsaid rollers relative to said ldie .mechanism to adjust the rollers for:blanksof different lengths, and means for moving said idler rollerstoward their; associated rotating rollers to .squeezeblanks there'-ofsaid die mechanism and adhaving an opening therein to allowadischarged blank to pass through, and'means for shifting said guideplate in time with said die mechanism first to bring said plate openinginto register with the cut blank as it is discharged and then to shiftit out of register for locating the strip prior to cutting. a I

'7. In a machine for cutting'sheetmetal strips, the combination of a diemechanism for cutting astrip across to produce two blanks, reciprocatingfeed bars having springfheld feed dogs for advancing strips into saiddie mechanism in timed order, gauge fingers adjacent said die .mechaenism being depressible by a strip entering'into said die mechanism andsnapping up behind the strip edge as the strip comestherein', yieldablegauge devices opposite .saidgauge fingers for re turning the advancedstrip into engagement with said snapped-up fingers to locate the striprelative to the die mechanism, and blank discharge means adjacent saiddie mechanism for removing cut blanks laterally therefrom and inopposite directions. Y 1

'8. In a machine iorcuttring sheet metal strips, the combination of adie mechanism for cutting a strip across to produce'two blanks, blankdischarge means located adjacent said ,die mechanism and on oppositesides thereojwfor removing cut blanks laterally therefrom -so that thetwo blanks from each strip will ;be'.disc'harged from opposite sides ofsaid die mechanism, and a conveyer located on each side of said diemechanism for receiving the blanks discharged thererom.

9,. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips, the combination of adie mechanism for cutting a strip across to produce two blanks, blankdish e m n l ate adjacent said-die :mecha nism and on opposite sidesthereof for removing cut blanks laterally therefrom said that the twoblanks from each strip will :be discharged from opposite sides of saiddie mechanism, a conveyor located on each side of,,sa.id-d:i;e mechanismfor receiving the blanks discharged therefrom, and means for actuatingsaid conveyors in synchronism with the operation of said die mechanismbetween todischarge them in opposite directions.

5. In a, machine for cutting sheet .metalstrips,

the combination :of a die mechanism for cutting a strip across toproduce two blanks, feeding devices for feeding the strlps into said diemechanism in timed order, guide rails strips into said :die 'mechanism;charge means for removing thecut blanks laterally from salddie mechanismand in opposite directions, said guide rails being movable toward eachother .and said discharge means being adjustable therewith toaccommodate strips o-fdifferent lengths.

6. In a machine for cutting sheet metalstrips, the combination of .a'die mechanism for cutting guide rails for guiding and endwise locating astrip in position relative to said die mechanism, blankdischarge meansadjacent said die mechanism for removing cut blanks laterally so thatthe :two blanks from each strip will be discharged simultaneously fromopposite sides .ofi'said die mechanism, a movable guide plate located ineach of said guide rails adjacent said dieimechanism and for guiding theand blank disso that the blanks will {be received on said 3.0. veyors'inan overlapped and stacked relatiqnto facilitate inspection.QftheblfllfiKS.

10. In a machine for cutting sheet metal strips, the combination of adie mechanism ;for transv l eve -m a metal. s rip to produce two bla -st r r m, dupl cate b ank dis har e means l cat d adjace t sai diemechanism and n opp s Sides thereoi, aid dischar e means beingineffective for discharge .of ,a blank durin the blank cuttingoperation, and actuatingmeans operable in time with the movement of saiddie mechanism for rendering said blank discharge means effective to:remove the severed Lblanks in opposite directions from the .;die:mechanism,

11. In .a machine'for cutting sheet :metalstrips,

the combination of adie mechanism having-upper and lowercQQperatingeQutti-ng instrumentalities for-cutting a striptransversely:to produce two blanks, two cooperating .zpairs \ofdischarge rollers located on oppositesidesiof saiddielmechanism, andmeans for bringing each pair of rollers into positionto discharge thecut blanks laterally and in "opposite directions following said cuttingoperation.

NELSQN .Grl?ElFt'lSEN.v

